Loom with stationary weft supply



March 27, 1956 c. s. ASPDEN LOOM WITH STATIONARY WEF'T SUPPLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 12, 195] INVENTORI QYRIL STAHDEN AsPvEn' March 27, 1956 c. s. ASPDEN 2,739,619

LOOM WITH STATIONARY WEFT SUPPLY Filed Oct. 12, 195] 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 *l m 4' .y El- I R INVENTOR,

CYR: L STAHDEH ASPOEP/ BY a Wim March 27, 1956 c. s. ASPDEN 2,739,619

LOOM WITH STATIONARY WEFT SUPPLY Filed 001.. 12, 195] 4 Sheets$heet 3 8 INVENTOR'.

. BY CYRIL $TAHDEN ASPDEP/ March 27, 1956 c. s. ASPDEN 2,739,619

LOOM WITH STATIONARY WEFT SUPPLY Filed Oct. 12, 195] 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR BY CIRIL STAHDEH ASPDEP/ WXM 2,739,619 LOOM WITH STATIONARY WEFT SUPPLY Cyril Standen Aspden, Colne, England Application October 12, 1951, fierial No. 251,0li2

Claims priority, application Great Britain Gctober 14, 1950 3 Claims. (Cl. 139-125) This invention relates to weaving looms with a stationary continuous weft supply at each end thereof from which the weft is taken by means of a weft carrier that is picked to and fro across the shed, and the present invention has for its object to simplify the mechanism by means of which this can be done, construct it in such a manner that it can be easily adapted to existing looms, enable the various operations to be performed by movements and at timings which are familiar in weaving, provide ample time for carrying out each operation with the result that very precise timings and positionings of the various co-operating parts are not called for, enable a high rate of production to be obtained with low installation, operative, and maintenance costs and without any special degree of skill for installation, operation or maintenance.

With a view to attaining these objects, the said invention consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed diagrams and the following description setting forth in detail certain structures embodying the invention.

In the said annexed diagrams:

Fig. 1 is a plan and Fig. 2 is an end view of the attachment and associated parts of the loom.

Fig. 3 is a view of one end of the weft carrier drawn to a larger scale.

Figs. 4 to 14 are views of part of the loom showing the various operative parts in different operative positions.

Figs. 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 are plan views, and

Figs. 5, 7, 12 and 14 are elevations corresponding to Figs. 4, 6, 11 and 13 respectively.

A (Fig. 1) indicates a double shot of weft taken from a stationary weft supply at each end of the loom and which may consist of any suitable form of weft package or a number thereof supported in a creel.

The weft is drawn from the weft package at each pick by a weft carrier 8, hereinafter referred to as a shuttle, that is formed or provided at each end with a weft catcher B hereinafter referred to as hook. This hook is so shaped that it takes hold of the loop A of the double shot of weft as it is drawn across the shed and permits of its easy removal.

The point of the hook is towards the back of the loom, being inclined somewhat towards the leading tip of the shuttle. This inclination is necessary so that the hook can grasp the weft thread, which is positioned approximately parallel to the selvedge, as the shuttle enters the shed. When the hook of the shuttle has contacted the weft, it draws it into the shed as a double pick looped round the hook, one end of the loop being held at the selvedge, and the outer end being drawn from the weft supply cone situatedbelow the shuttle box.

The weft after being drawn from the weft package is taken through a guide which conveniently consists of a tube C that moves to and fro with the sley D and may be fixed to it.

2,739,619 Patented Mar. 27, 1956 After leaving the tube C the weft is taken through a weft transfer guide E which consists of an eyelet formed in the upper end of a rod E which may be slightly offset as shown in Fig. 2. This rod E is slidable in guides E (Fig. 2), which are attached to the sley swords D and is pulled downwardly therein by a spring E so that its lower end is kept in contact with the front end of a tappet arm E that is pivoted at its rear end to a stationary part of the loom frame. The tappet arm E is provided with a runner E that is kept in contact with a tappet E on a tappet shaft of the loom by a spring E that is attached to the sley sword D This mechanism causes the weft transfer guide E together with the portion of the weft that passes through it to be moved up and down as and when required.

Situated in proximity to the weft transfer guide E is a horizontal rod F that is slidable in guides F and has a reciprocating endwise movement imparted to it by a connection from a tappet F on the tappet shaft of the loom. In the example shown this connection consists of a tappet arm. F that is pivoted to a stationary part of the loom frame and is formed with or has rigidly connected to it an upwardly extending member F that is slotted at its upper end for the passage of the rod F on which are fixed two collars F one at each side of the member F and which may be bridged by a connecting portion F (Fig. l) to prevent the rod F from rotating. With this arrangement the member F is moved forward by the tappet F and its return movement is eifected by a spring F" that is anchored to any suitable fixture such as F and keeps the arm F in contact with the tappet F The tappets E and F with their attendant parts are duplicated at each side of the loom and operated alternately.

Rotatable on the rod F is a circular brush G the bristles or equivalents of which face more or less towards the front of the loom and this brush holds a portion of the weft after it has passed through the eyelet E in a position in which it will be caught by the hook B at the trailing end of the shuttle as the latter is picked out of the box H. Situated between the end of the reed J and the horizontal rod F is the weft engaging strip K with the help of which the weft is held while the hook B frees itself from the weft. In the example shown in Fig. 2 this weft engaging strip consists of a closely coiled spring opened out for a portion of its length to provide a serrated surface at the point of contact with the weft and within the coil may be a flexible core to prevent the weft from becoming entangled .in the coil. This spring K is maintained in a state of tension, for which purpose it may be hooked on to the two stationary fixtures F previously referred to, and it extends across a recess D in the top of the sley D and is taken through a guide eye K in a band K or other flexible connection that is fastened at its lower end to the tappet arm E (Fig. 2) and at its upper end by a spring K to a fixed point of anchorage K. This arrangement causes the weft engaging strip to be moved up and down as and when required. Instead of the weft engaging strip being made in the form of a spring it may consist of any other form of flexible member such for example as a strap, thread, or wire, as shown in Fig. 1, having a serrated surface which is brought down across the pick of weft at the correct time so as to hold the loop A while the movement of the shuttle B causes the hook B to free itself from loop A The flexible member makes contact with the upper strand of the loop A movement of the flexible member does press the strand downwardly to some extent, the main function of the flexible member is to hold the strand. However, it is the subsequent movement of the shuttle by means of which the thread is enabled to be free. The examination of Figs. 4 and 6 reveals that there is movement of the shuttle and although the continued downward which carries the shuttle-box and-it is during-this-movementthatthe-shuttle frees itself from the-loop. of weft thread: Once the loop, has: been disengaged, itsfalls down? awayfrom the-spring; Thus the'particulardegree of inclinationzofthe upper surface of -the hookris not particularly important because it is-the movementof-the shuttle in relation tothe fell which: releases the loop of weft: Itis to benoted however, that due toa.-necessary slight inclination ofithe hookttowards the leading-tip of the' shuttle, as-the hooledisengages itselfafrom the weft loop,- a certain slight extension of the .loop ,wil1;-occur,.

which is: permissible since oneend lof -the loop is freely connectedtoi-the Weft supply. If therecwere noinclination of the point of the hook-towards what is the leading tip, of the-shuttle, then .the hook would not pick-up the weft while.if-theinclinationwere too great, the forward movement 'ofthe-shuttle in the box-would not be able to disengagethe hook from theweft'loop. Between these two extremes-there isa choice of inclinations of the-hook. The'endsof thestrap, thread, or wire K may be attached to adjustable screw hooks K A cycle of operations is as follows:

Supposing, for example, that the shuttle B is being taken from .theshuttle'boxat the right hand side of the loom, \as'it leaves the-box the hook B! at its trailing end catchesthe weft between the eyelet E and the rotatable brush G and takes a double shot-A or pick of weft to the left hand side 'of the loom as shownin .Figs. 4 and 5. The pick is then beaten up (see- Figs. 6 and 7), and during-the beat-up, the'loop A is heldby spring .K and the shuttlefrees itselffrom loop A continuesto descend into therecessD so thatthe shuttle may-pass over'it on its way back taking with it a double shot of-weft to the right hand end of the looms Attheasame time:that this pick is being removed-from the shuttle and in the process ofbeing beaten-up, .the

supplyend of the weft at the right hand sideof theloom is beingpreparedfor-the next pick-from thatsi-de. This is achieved bythe eyelet E raising the weft when it has reachedxa-position infront of the 'brush (Fig; 7).

since the eyelet E together with the adjacentportion of the weft is in-its raised position, .the shuttle B asit arrivesfrornthe left hand sideof theloom 'passesunder:

the weft (Fig. 9). At the same time that the eyeletE is brush infront of the-shuttleso that theyido'not comeinto contact (see Fig, 6), and at" the same time' ensure that the-weft does not get displaced land lodgebehind'the shuttlewhich would preventits being carried "across the shuttlerace as the shuttle was picked. While the sley'is receding, the eyelet E descends and places theweft'across the shuttle in readiness for picking; At the same time that the sley is receding, so also is'the'rod carrying.

the brush G atthe left handend'receding, but later or slower, than the sley so'that the weft, is kept tensioned thus facilitating the correct engagementtoftheshuttle: hook with the weft. When the shuttlesmoves:outofthe box thehook at its trailing end engages. the weft and-carries it across the sley (Fig. 9.), atthexsame-timeithe tension on. the weftcauses the brush to. revolvev and fliiQWS..-'ih$" Weft .to leave the brushwandfibe carried into-.=,the-body;of

the cloth, In Fig- 9 thershuttle has 'beenspickedifromzthei lefthand end of the loom 'to the rightah'and enchandithe: process: is: then repeated, the variousmovements' described The springqK then As" the sley moves back the weft is. held by the brushisand' taking place at the opposite end of the loom to that described with reference to Figs. 4 to 8.

Thus Fig. 9 corresponds for a left to right pick to Fig. 4 for a right to left pick and in a similar manner Figs. 10, 11 and 12 correspond to Figs. 5, 6 and 7 respectively.

Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate aj-further right to left pick with the shuttlepart wayacrossthe shed.

This process is repeated alternately from each side and if the weft is drawn from sulficiently largerpackages at each side, continuity of weaving is obtained from a continuous supply of weft. The loops left "at eacli'sideof the cloth can either becut' off duringcweaving or so positioned to avoid entanglement by being brushed or pulled out of the path of the weft supply, or preferably held in the desired position by means of suction: This .is effected in the arrangement shown through a suction nozzle L from any suitable form of suction producing apparatus.

By mounting-supplies of various kindsorcolourstof wcftfor use from one or both sidesof the; loonL-andfi selecting the ones required for insertion in thecloth, any:

desired Weft pattern may be obtained.

The selvedge of the cloth is so woven at-eachside; that thesucceeding-picksfrom each side go into a different warp shed; This produces a fast selvedge, vwhichwillremain-so, even if the loops are cut off; A- distinct'ads vantage in using a flexible weft engaging means-is "than inthe event ofa faultyweft-carrier flight,-resulting in the shuttle being trapped or being -.so positionedwas to strike the weft engaging strip, no damage, results. The: shuttle-maybe made of metal, Wood, plastic: on any suit'- able material or combinations of materials.

In adapting the invention to take a single shot-.of weft across the loom at each pick, the weft would 'be' severed near the cloth selvedge.

Or; alternatively, the weft could be-severed--and.knotted, the knot'being eifected by.a knotting device mounted on the loomand operated to form a:knot atthe chosen: movement ofthe sley, with theknot-beinggofssuch'a size" as to prevent its readily being pulled through the:s1otrin the weft catcher.

What-I claim as-my'invention. and desire to secure b'y Letters Patent in the United States is:

1. ,In a weaving loom adaptedtocarry. a continuous stationary weft supply and having a weft carrier-sand means to move said weft carrierfroman initial position near-oneside of said loom to a-finalLpositionnear the other side of said loom during each cycle of motiongofl said loom, the provision of a sley, a weft guide fixedrelativelyto but movable with said sley, 'a-weft transfer guide movable with said sley andmovable upwardly andfdowm:

wardly in: timed relationship with said weft-carrier during said cycle, a-weft holder adapted to hold -said'1weft'; in, position in .the' path which said weft carrier:is"adapted:to follow, said weft holder being: movablewhorizontalLy-in:

timed relationship with said weft carrierzduring said cycle, a weft'catcher means-carried'by saidilweft carrier tocatch' hold: of. theweft at the: commencement "OfiSaid' cycle and to disengageiitself'from the weft at the endofisaiclz cycle and a weft engaging meansfor engaging saidlweft";tolpreavent movement thereof with said. weftcatchermeansz while the latter disengages itself at the endioftsaidwycles 2. In 1a weaving: loom adapted tocarry a continuous stationary 'weft supply. and having a':weft1carrier and meansto. move: said. weft carrier froman initial =-positionnear :onexsidewof said loom toat final position-near other-aside of; said loom' during: each cycle of motionof said.loom,ithe;provision of atsley, a weft guide fixed role tively tozbut movable with: sai'd sley; a weft'transfer'guid=- movablezwithsaid: sley and movable -upwardly anctflowin wardlyin: timedr.relationship-with said iweft carrier em:

ing said cycle, a weft holder in'the'form-ofla brush adaptedito I hold I said weft in position in the -path+whih said: wefticarrier is adapted to follow, said we'ft' 'holdcr" being: also adapted to: move horizontally'-- towards-and away from the front of said loom in timed relationship" engaging said weft to prevent with said weft carrier during said cycle, a Weft catcher carried by said weft carrier and adapted to catch hold of the weft at the commencement of said cycle and to disengage itself from the weft at the end of said cycle and a weft engaging means for engaging said weft to prevent movement thereof with said weft catcher means while the latter disengages itself at the end of said cycle.

3. In a weaving loom adapted to carry a continuous stationary weft supply and having a weft carrier and means to move said weft carrier from an initial position near one side of said loom to a final position near the other side of said loom during each cycle of motion of said loom, the provision of a sley, a weft guide fixed relatively to but movable with said sley, a weft transfer guide movable with said sley and movable upwardly and downwardly in timed relationship with said weft carrier during said cycle, a weft holder adapted to hold said weft in position in the path which said weft carrier is adapted to follow, said weft holder being also adapted to move horizontally towards and away from the front of said loom in timed relationship with said weft carrier during said cycle, said weft holder comprising a substantially horizontal rod extending from the rear part of said loom to the front part of said loom and a rotatable brush carried by said rod with the bristles of said brush extending towards the front of said loom, said brush being adjacent to said weft transfer guide when said sley is substantially in its forward position and being adapted to hold a portion of weft extending from said transfer guide to previously woven fabric in said loom and also being adapted to be rotated through the tension of the weft caused by said movement of said weft carrier, such rotation allowing the weft to be released from said bristles, a weft catcher carried by said Weft carrier and adapted to catch hold of the weft at the commencement of said cycle and to disengage itself from the weft at the end of said cycle and a weft engaging means for engaging said weft to prevent movement thereof with said Weft catcher means while the latter disengages itself at the end of said cycle.

4. In a weaving loom adapted to carry a continuous stationary weft supply and having a weft carrier and 7 means to move said weft carrier from an initial position near one side of the said loom to a final position near the other side of said loom during each cycle of motion of said loom, the provision of a sley, a weft transfer guide movable with said sley and movable upwardly and downwardly in timed relationship with said weft carrier during said cycle, a weft holder adapted to hold said weft in position in the path which said weft carrier is adapted to follow said weft holder being also adapted to move horizontally towards and away from the front of said loom in timed relationship with said weft carrier during said cycle, said weft holder being movable horizontally in timed relationship with said weft carrier during said cycle, a hook on said weft carrier adapted to catch the weft at the trailing end of said carrier at the commencement of said cycle and to disengage itself from the weft at the end of said cycle and a weft engaging means for movement thereof with said hook while the latter disengages itself at the end of said cycle.

movement of said weft carrier, a flexible weft 5. In a weaving loom adapted to carry a continuous stationary weft supply and having a weft carrier and means to move said weft carrier from an initial position near one side of said loom to a final position near the other side of said loom during each cycle of motion of said loom, the provision of a sley, a hook on said weft carrier adapted to catch the weft at the trailing end of said weft carrier at the commencement of said cycle and to disengage itself from the weft at the end of said cycle and weft controlling means adapted to operate in predetermined time relationship at each side of said loom, each of said weft controlling means comprising a Weft guide fixed relatively to but movable with said sley, a weft transfer guide movable with said sley, means to raise said weft transfer guide when the sley is substantially in its forward position, means to lower said weft transfer guide during the remainder of said cycle, a substantially horizontal rod extending from the rear part of said loom to the front part of said loom, a rotatable brush carried by said rod with the bristles of said brush extending towards the front of said loom, said brush being adjacent to said weft transfer guide when said sley is substantially in its forward position and being adapted to hold a portion of weft extending from said weft transfer guide to the warp in said loom and also being adapted to be rotated through the tension on the Weft caused by said movement of said Weft carrier, such rotation allowing the weft to be released from said bristles, means to move said brush towards the front of said loom during said engaging strip, means for raising said strip prior to said weft carrier moving into said final position in said cycle, means for lowering said strip into engagement with the weft in order to engage the weft adjacent said hook at said trailing end of said weft carrier to prevent movement of said weft with said hook while the latter disengages itself at the end of said cycle.

6. In a loom as claimed in claim 5 the provision of a flexible weft-engaging strip having a serrated surface adapted to engage the Weft.

7. In a loom as claimed in claim 5 the provision of a flexible weft-engaging strip comprising a coiled spring extended to an extent sufficient to allow the weft to enter between adjacent coils of said spring.

8. In a loom as claimed in claim 5 the provision of suction means near each side of said loom, said suction means being adapted to hold loops, formed at the selvedge of the fabric during weaving, from entanglement with said weft-controlling means and from entanglement with subsequent picks of weft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 805,751 Renger Nov. 28, 1905 1,527,779 Boitel Feb. 24, 1925 1,632,912 Mullor et al June 21, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS 251,860 Switzerland Sept. 16, 1948 

